Multipurpose low emission submersible engine and aquatic craft using same

ABSTRACT

A low emission submersible engine is part of a multipurpose aquatic device, such as an aquatic craft or an electrical generator. A propulsion system having a propeller is coupled to the submersible engine to produce a swimmer propulsion machine and a generator is attached to the engine to produce an electrical generator. The submersible engine receives air from a snorkel that extends up above a water line. The aquatic device has a fuel reservoir which may receive liquid fuel or may receive a fuel cylinder. Floatation chambers keep the aquatic device afloat with the engine submerged. The exhaust assembly and exhaust ports from the engine may also be submerged and the exhaust ports may provide additional thrust. A propulsion system housing integrates the drive shaft and propeller, clutch coupler, exhaust conduits and water flow conduits and is detachably attachable to the engine.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This invention claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent applicationno. 62/502,640, filed on May 6, 2017 and entitled Low Emission EngineAnd Aquatic Craft Using Same; the entirety of which is herebyincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a multipurpose low emission submersible enginethat may be used as part of a propulsion machine having a propellerand/or an electrical generator.

BACKGROUND

Recent regulations regarding emission output for marine vehicles andaquatic craft have been tightened by the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA), making conventional two stroke engines unable to meet thestandard. Further details of the engine classifications, as well as theemission standards are incorporated by reference from U.S. provisionalpatent application No. 62/502,640. The requirement is now no more than30 ppm of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission. Small aquatic crafts, such asswimmer propulsion machines having limited size and weight requirementsmay have a very difficult challenge meeting these emission requirements.Some aquatic crafts have moved to battery operated systems but thesehave limitations in range and power.

Many boat owners run their main engines in order to keep their batteriescharged. This produces exhaust that can blow back into or around theboat and make it very unpleasant. There exists a need for a generatorsystem that can be used to charge batteries and power electronic devicesthat is quiet and produces reduces exhaust.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to multipurpose low emission submersibleengine that may be used as part of a propulsion machine having apropeller and/or an electrical generator. An exemplary aquatic device ofthe present invention comprises a submerged engine, such as a two orfour stroke engine, that receives air from above the water level. Anexemplary aquatic device comprises a snorkel that extends up above thewater level to draw air into the engine for combustion. An exemplaryaquatic device is a swimmer propulsion machine that comprises apropeller coupled to the crank shaft of the engine and handles for aperson to hold onto as the swimmer propulsion machine pulls them throughthe water in a swimming position, extended with their head toward thedirection of travel and their body floating behind. An exemplary aquaticdevice is an electrical generator having a rotor of the generatorcoupled to the crank shaft of the submersible engine. A pair of wiresextends from the generator to provide electrical power to an electronicdevice, such as a battery for charging. In an exemplary embodiment, theaquatic device is convertible from a propulsion machine to a generatorby changing out assemblies coupled with the engine.

An exemplary multipurpose aquatic device comprises a low emissionsubmersible engine comprising, a fuel intake for receiving a fuel and anair inlet coupled to a snorkel that extends to an air inlet end that isconfigured above a water level for receiving air. The snorkel may befluidly connected to allow a flow of air into a floatation chamber andthen into the carburetor.

An exemplary multipurpose aquatic device comprises a combustion enginecomprising a cylinder for receiving the fuel from the fuel tank and air.The two components mix in the combustion chamber and are ignited by aspark, such as from a spark plug, and this drive the piston in thecylinder within the cylinder. The piston is coupled with a crank shaftthat rotates as the piston moves within the cylinder. The engine isconfigured within a case that is water tight, whereby water is preventfrom entry through the case to effectively enable the engine to operatewhile submerged. An exemplary engine is a two or four stroke engine,however to meet the emission requirements of no more than 30 pmm NOx, afour-stroke engine is preferred. An exemplary engine may comprise one ormore cylinders depending on the power requirements but one to two ispreferred for small aquatic craft such as the swimmer propulsion machinedescribed herein.

An exemplary engine, as described herein may be used to power an aquaticcraft, such as a swimmer propulsion machine. The aquatic craft comprisesa propulsion system that is connected to the engine and comprises apropeller that is coupled with the crank shaft of the engine. Thepropeller may be coupled to a drive shaft that is coupled to the crankshaft via a clutch. The propeller spins as the crank shaft spin duringoperation of the engine. The clutch may be used to disengage thepropeller from the crank shaft to allow the aquatic craft to pause inthe water with the engine running. Furthermore, an aquatic craft maycomprise an exhaust assembly for emitting exhaust from the submersibleengine. The exhaust assembly may comprise exhaust outlets that are alsosubmerged under a water level and configured to emit exhaust in adirection substantially opposing propulsion direction, thereby providingadditional thrust. In an exemplary embodiment, the propulsion system isdetachably attachable to the submersible engine.

The exemplary aquatic craft may further comprise a floatation chamberfor keeping the submersible engine submersed under the water. Theaquatic craft may be a swimmer propulsion machine have the propulsionsystem may comprises handles for a person to hold onto along with athrottle to control the speed of the swimmer propulsion machine throughthe water. An exemplary swimmer propulsion machine may comprise one ofmore floatation chambers and one or more fuel reservoirs. In anexemplary embodiment, the body of the swimmer propulsion machinecomprises a central body portion and two side portions configured onopposing sides of the central body portion. The floatation chamber maybe configured in one or both of the side portions and/or the centralbody portion. Also, a fuel reservoir may be configured in the centralbody portion and/or one or both of the side portions. A side portion maybe configured to receive a fuel cylinder, such as a propane tank and afuel cylinder interface may couple with the cylinder outlet valve tofluidly couple the fuel cylinder with the engine fuel intake. The sideportions may be cylindrical in shape.

An exemplary snorkel may couple with a first floatation chamber and anair connection conduit may couple the first floatation chamber with asecond floatation chamber. A carburetor air intake may be configuredproximal to a top inside surface of the second floatation chamber, suchas within 5 mm or less of the top, or within 10 mm or less of the top,for example. This arrangement may reduce the likely hood of watergetting into the carburetor. In addition, a water prevention valve maybe configured on the air connection conduit and/or on an air intakeconduit extending to the carburetor from a chamber to prevent waterreaching the carburetor. A water connection conduit may also extendbetween the two floatation chambers to allow more volume of water to beretained before the first floatation chamber is filled; to disperse thewater between the chambers and reduce the floatation water level ineach.

The body of the swimmer propulsion machine may have a length of about 30cm or more, about 40 cm or more, about 50 cm or more, about 75 cm ormore, or no more than 1 m. The body of the swimmer propulsion machinemay have a width of about 20 cm or more, about 30 cm or more, about 40cm or more, about 50 cm or more, or no more than 75 cm. The body of theswimmer propulsion machine may have a height of about 10 cm or more,about 20 cm or more, about 24 cm or more, about 50 cm or more, or nomore than 75 cm.

An exemplary engine, as described herein may be used to power anelectrical generator. An exemplary generator assembly may be attached tothe submersible engine, wherein the generator assembly comprises agenerator housing that is water tight, an electrical generatorconfigured in the generator housing and that is submersible under awater level and a rotor coupled to the crank shaft of the engine. Theelectrical generator produces electricity when the crank shaft spins,which spins the rotor with respect to a stator. The electrical generatoris cooled by being submersed below a water level thereby preventing theneed for a cooling system. An exemplary generator assembly furthercomprises charging wires extending from the generator for connection toan electrical device to receive electricity produced by the electricalgenerator. An exemplary generator assembly is detachably attachable tothe submersible engine. An exemplary generator assembly furthercomprising a floatation chamber for keeping the submersible engine andgenerator submersed under a water level. An exemplary generator assemblyfurther comprise an exhaust assembly to direct the exhaust from theengine to an exhaust port. The exhaust port may be configured under thewater level or may be submerged. An exemplary generator assembly andengine may be both submerges along with the exhaust assembly therebyreducing noise and fumes from the exhaust.

An exemplary aquatic device of the present invention may comprise asubmersible engine as described herein and may be configured to receivea detachably attachable propulsion system and generator assembly asdescribed herein, thereby making the aquatic device a multipurposeaquatic device. The propulsion system and generator may bolt onto orotherwise couple with the engine to interchange the devices.

A low emission engine may be a conventional internal combustion engineincluding a two stroke, a four stroke or a stratified charge engine. Anexemplary engine comprises cylinders for receiving a fuel and a pistonthat moves within the cylinder to compress the fuel. The cylinder iscoupled with a drive shaft that rotates as the piston moves up and down.An exemplary engine may be lubricated with a wet sump, a dry sump, amodified dry sump or a lubricant propane fuel additive that is added tothe fuel. Any suitable fuel additive may be used including those fromChemtane and Amsoil, or other lubricating fuel additives including anyof the components therein. A lubricated fuel additive may be syntheticor a natural, refined oil. A dry sump, as described herein comprises twooil reservoirs and a pump to pump an engine lubricant back and forthbetween the two oil reservoirs. A wet sump has only one pump and asingle lubricant reservoir. A lubricated fuel additive may be syntheticor a natural refined oil. An exemplary modified dry sump, uses twolubricant reservoirs and pumps the lubricant from one reservoir throughthe crank case and into the other reservoir. The lubricant level in bothreservoirs is maintained in equilibrium between the two reservoirs andwithin the crankcase.

An exemplary engine may utilize gasoline, propane, butane or natural gasas a fuel type. Some of these fuel types burn more cleanly than othersand may be preferred fuels for low emission applications.

An exemplary engine of the present invention is a four-stroke enginethat operates below the emission standards for marine engines, such asbelow 50 ppm, below 30 ppm or below 20 ppm. In an exemplary embodiment,the engine of the present invention is a propane or butane burningtwo-stroke engine that utilizes a fuel lubricant additive and/or a fuelemission additive. The fuel lubricant additive may include any of theactive or major components of fuel lubricant additives commonly used.The fuel emission additive may include any of the standard additives andcomponents used in fuel emission additives.

An aquatic craft may utilize any of the engine types as described hereinand may be a boat, a jet ski, or a hand-held personal aquatic propulsiondevice. In an exemplary embodiment, the aquatic craft is a hand-heldswimmer propulsion machine that is configured to propel a person throughthe water. A hand-held personal swimmer propulsion machine may havehandles and a throttle for the person to control the speed. A swimmerpropulsion machine may be configured to remain partially above thewater, wherein the top of the body is above the water and the bottom ofthe body is below the water.

A low emission engine, as described herein, and an aquatic craftutilizing said low emission engine may produce low emission, such asless than about 50 ppm, less than about 40 ppm, less than about 30 ppm,less than about 20 ppm, less than about 10 ppm and any range between andincluding the emission levels listed, which includes the emission ofNOx.

A floatation chamber may have an open volume of air and may comprise abuoyant material, such as foam or plastic material that is buoyant. Inan exemplary embodiment, a floatation chamber comprises an open volumeof air and is fluidly coupled with the snorkel and receives air from thesnorkel. Air from the floatation chamber is fed to the engine, such asto the carburetor.

Engine Types

The present invention includes a variety of engine types including, butnot limited to the following engine types as defined by Wikipedia:

A two-stroke, or two-cycle, engine is a type of internal combustionengine which completes a power cycle with two strokes (up and downmovements) of the piston during only one crankshaft revolution. This isin contrast to a “four-stroke engine”, which requires four strokes ofthe piston to complete a power cycle.

A two-stroke, or two-cycle, engine is a type of internal combustionengine which completes a power cycle with two strokes (up and downmovements) of the piston during only one crankshaft revolution. This isin contrast to a “four-stroke engine”, which requires four strokes ofthe piston to complete a power cycle. In a two-stroke engine, the end ofthe combustion stroke and the beginning of the compression stroke happensimultaneously, with the intake and exhaust (or scavenging) functionsoccurring at the same time.

Two-stroke engines often have a high power-to-weight ratio, power beingavailable in a narrow range of rotational speeds called the “powerband”. Compared to four-stroke engines, two-stroke engines have agreatly reduced number of moving parts, and so can be more compact andsignificantly lighter

A four-stroke engine (also known as four cycle) is an internalcombustion (IC) engine in which the piston completes four separatestrokes while turning a crankshaft. A stroke refers to the full travelof the piston along the cylinder, in either direction

Conventionally, a four-stroke (petrol or gasoline) Otto cycle engine isfueled by drawing a mixture of air and fuel into the combustion chamberduring the intake stroke. This produces a homogeneous charge: ahomogeneous mixture of air and fuel, which is ignited by a spark plug ata predetermined moment near the top of the compression stroke.

In a homogeneous charge system, the air/fuel ratio is kept very close tostoichiometric, meaning it contains the exact amount of air necessaryfor a complete combustion of the fuel. This gives stable combustion, butit places an upper limit on the engine's efficiency: any attempt toimprove fuel economy by running a lean mixture with a homogeneous chargeresults in unstable combustion; this impacts on power and emissions,notably of nitrogen oxides or NO_(x).

A four-stroke engine (also known as four cycle) is an internalcombustion (IC) engine in which the piston completes four separatestrokes while turning a crankshaft. A stroke refers to the full travelof the piston along the cylinder, in either direction. The four separatestrokes are termed:

-   -   a. Intake: also known as induction or suction This stroke of the        piston begins at top dead center (T.D.C.) and ends at bottom        dead center (B.D.C.). In this stroke the intake valve must be in        the open position while the piston pulls an air-fuel mixture        into the cylinder by producing vacuum pressure into the cylinder        through its downward motion.    -   b. Compression: This stroke begins at B.D.C, or just at the end        of the suction stroke, and ends at T.D.C. In this stroke the        piston compresses the air-fuel mixture in preparation for        ignition during the power stroke (below). Both the intake and        exhaust valves are closed during this stage.    -   c. Combustion: also known as power or ignition This is the start        of the second revolution of the four-stroke cycle. At this point        the crankshaft has completed a full 360 degree revolution. While        the piston is at T.D.C. (the end of the compression stroke) the        compressed air-fuel mixture is ignited by a spark plug (in a        gasoline engine) or by heat generated by high compression        (diesel engines), forcefully returning the piston to B.D.C. This        stroke produces mechanical work from the engine to turn the        crankshaft.    -   d. Exhaust: also known as outlet. During the exhaust stroke, the        piston once again returns from B.D.C. to T.D.C. while the        exhaust valve is open. This action expels the spent air-fuel        mixture through the exhaust valve

A stratified charge engine is a type of internal combustion engine inwhich the fuel is injected into the cylinder just before ignition. Thisallows for higher compression ratios without “knock,” and leanerair/fuel ratio than in conventional internal combustion engines. In anexemplary stratified engine, air is introduced in the cylinder prior tocombustion.

Engine Lubrication:

The present invention may employ a variety of engine lubrication systemsincluding a wet or dry sump or a lubricating fuel mixture. A wet and drysump engine system is described by Wikipedia as follows:

A wet sump is a lubricating oil management design for piston engineswhich uses the crankcase as a built-in reservoir for oil, as opposed toan external or secondary reservoir used in a dry sump design.

Piston engines are lubricated by oil which is pumped into variousbearings, and thereafter allowed to drain to the base of the engineunder gravity. In most production automobiles and motorcycles, which usea wet sump system, the oil is collected in a 3 to 10 litres (0.66 to2.20 imp gal; 0.79 to 2.64 US gal) capacity pan at the base of theengine, known as the sump or oil pan, where it is pumped back up to thebearings by the oil pump, internal to the engine.

A wet sump offers the advantage of a simple design, using a single pumpand no external reservoir. Since the sump is internal, there is no needfor hoses or tubes connecting the engine to an external sump which mayleak. An internal oil pump is generally more difficult to replace, butthat is dependent on the engine design.

A wet sump design can be problematic in a racing car, as the large gforce pulled by drivers going around corners causes the oil in the panto slosh, gravitating away from the oil pick-up, briefly starving thesystem of oil and damaging the engine. However, on a motorcycle thisdifficulty does not arise, as a bike leans into corners and the oil isnot displaced sideways. Nevertheless, racing motorcycles usually benefitfrom dry sump lubrication, as this allows the engine to be mounted lowerin the frame; and a remote oil tank can permit better lubricant cooling.

Small two-stroke engines, as for motorcycles and lawnmowers, usecrankcase compression: the fuel mixture passes through the sump space inthe crankcase. This precludes the use of both wet sump and dry sumpsystems, as excess oil here would contaminate the mixture, leading toexcess oil being burned in the engine and so excessive hydrocarbonemissions. These engines are instead lubricated by petroil mixtures,where a carefully measured proportion of oil is added to the fuel tank(between 1:16 and 1:50 ratios). This oil is consumed immediately andentirely, so there is no need for a sump to collect and re-use it.

Four-stroke engines, as for almost all cars, and large two-strokeengines used in locomotives and ships can both use either wet or drysumps. Large two-stroke engines do not use crankcase compression;instead a separate blower or supercharger is used, either a mechanicalblower such as a Roots blower or a turbocharger.

A dry-sump system is a method to manage the lubricating motor oil infour-stroke and large two-stroke piston driven internal combustionengines. The dry-sump system uses two or more oil pumps and a separateoil reservoir, as opposed to a conventional wet-sump system, which usesonly the main sump (U.S.: oil pan) below the engine and a single pump. Adry-sump engine requires a pressure relief valve to regulate negativepressure inside the engine, so internal seals are not inverted.

Engines are both lubricated and cooled by oil that circulates throughoutthe engine, feeding various bearings and other moving parts and thendraining, via gravity, into the sump at the base of the engine. In thewet-sump system of most production automobile engines, a pump collectsthis oil from the sump and directly circulates it back through theengine. In a dry-sump, the oil still falls to the base of the engine,however instead of collecting in a reservoir-style oil sump, it fallsinto a much shallower sump, where one or more scavenge pumps draw itaway and transfer it to a (usually external) reservoir, where it is bothcooled and de-aerated before being recirculated through the engine by apressure pump. Dry-sump designs frequently mount the pressure pump andscavenge pumps on a common crankshaft, so that one pulley at the frontof the system can run as many pumps as the engine design requires. It iscommon practice to have one scavenge pump per crankcase section, howeverin the case of inverted engines (aircraft engine) it is necessary toemploy separate scavenge pumps for each cylinder bank. Therefore, aninverted V engine would have a minimum of two scavenge pumps and apressure pump in the pump stack.

The present invention may employ a variety of fuel types including, butnot limited to, gasoline, propane, butane and fuel mixtures comprising afuel lubricant additive and/or an emission control additive. An emissioncontrol additive may reduce emission gas through chemical reaction withthe combustion product, for example. A fuel lubricant additive may be asynthetic material that lubricates the engine, thereby reducing the needfor a wet or dry sump. An exemplary lubricating additive is Amsoil,available from Superior Wisconsin and is good for cold runningconditions. In an exemplary embodiment, a little Amsoil, such as about 1oz is used per about 15 oz of propane or at ratios of about 50:1 about100:1, or about 150:1 of fuel to Amsoil.

Chemtane 2 is an environmentally friendly product developed to meet theglobal need for a safer, more economical cutting and heating fuel.Chemtane Energy LLC, Baytown, Tex. produces Chemtane 2 gas which is anew generation cutting fuel that is more economical, environmentfriendly, and safer than acetylene, propylene, and other fuel gases.

Gasoline, or petrol, is a mixture of volatile, flammable liquidhydrocarbons derived from petroleum and used as fuel forinternal-combustion engines.

Propane is a three-carbon alkane with the molecular formula C₃H₈, a gas,at standard temperature and pressure, but compressible to atransportable liquid. A by-product of natural gas processing andpetroleum refining, it is commonly used as a fuel for engines, oxy-gastorches, portable stoves, and residential central heating. Propane isone of a group of liquefied petroleum gases (LP gases). The othersinclude butane, propylene, butadiene, butylene, isobutylene, andmixtures thereof.

Butane is an organic compound with the formula C₄H₁₀ that is an alkanewith four carbon atoms. Butane is a gas at room temperature andatmospheric pressure

Natural gas is a flammable gas, consisting largely of methane and otherhydrocarbons, occurring naturally underground (often in association withpetroleum) and used as fuel.

There are also two main differences in the way that LPG (Propane) andnatural gas (Methane) are burnt. The first difference is in the energycontent. LPG has a higher energy content than natural gas, with 93.2MJ/m³ vs 38.7 MJ/m³. With this higher calorific value, less LPG isrequired to produce the same amount of heat.

Propane can also be used as fuel in portable lamps or heaters. In fact,propane can even serve as vehicle fuel, as long as it is mixed withsubstances such as propylene, butylene, and butane. When propane ismixed with these substances, it is termed as LPG, or liquefied petroleumgas.

An electronic device, as used herein is a device that is powered byelectricity, such a radio, speaker, pump, and the like.

An aquatic craft, as used herein, is a craft that is propelled throughthe water, such as on the surface of the water.

The summary of the invention is provided as a general introduction tosome of the embodiments of the invention and is not intended to belimiting. Additional example embodiments including variations andalternative configurations of the invention are provided herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, andtogether with the description serve to explain the principles of theinvention.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of an exemplary swimmer propulsion machinehaving a combustion engine attached thereto and a snorkel for drawingaid into the engine.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an exemplary aquatic craft body, abody for an example swimmer propulsion machine, that is a hand-heldpersonal aquatic device the can be used to propel a person through thewater in a swimming position and comprises a combustion engine.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of an exemplary swimmer propulsion machinehaving a combustion engine attached thereto and a snorkel for drawingaid into the engine.

FIG. 4 shows a back view of an exemplary swimmer propulsion machinehaving a propeller that is part of a propulsion system and an exhaustassembly.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the body of an exemplary swimmer propulsionmachine.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of an exemplary swimmer propulsion machine.

FIG. 7 a top view of an exemplary swimmer propulsion machine with aperson being propelled through the water in a swimming position.

FIG. 8 shows a prospective view of the engine portion and propulsionsystem of an exemplary aquatic craft, such as a swimmer propulsionmachine.

FIG. 9 show a top vies of an exemplary centrifugal clutch.

FIG. 10 shows a prospective view of the engine portion and generatorassembly of an exemplary aquatic device.

FIG. 11 shows a side view of an exemplary generator assembly attached toan exemplary aquatic device, a swimmer propulsion machine.

FIG. 12 shows a diagram of an exemplary engine having a modified drysump with two lubricant reservoirs.

FIG. 13 shows a front view of the body portion of an exemplary swimmerpropulsion machine having a snorkel fluidly coupled with two floatationchambers and air and water connection conduits there between.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views of the figures. The figures represent anIllustration of some of the embodiments of the present invention and arenot to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in anymanner. Further, the figures are not necessarily to scale, some featuresmay be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore,specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not tobe interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis forteaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,”“including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, areintended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process,method, article, or device that comprises a list of elements is notnecessarily limited to only those elements but may include otherelements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,article, or device. Also, use of “a” or “an” are employed to describeelements and components described herein. This is done merely forconvenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention.This description should be read to include one or at least one and thesingular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meantotherwise.

Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention are describedherein and are illustrated in the accompanying figures. The embodimentsdescribed are only for purposes of illustrating the present inventionand should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention.Other embodiments of the invention, and certain modifications,combinations and improvements of the described embodiments, will occurto those skilled in the art and all such alternate embodiments,combinations, modifications, improvements are within the scope of thepresent invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, an exemplary swimmer propulsion machine 12 hasa submersible engine 60 coupled to a body 20 for propelling a personthrough the water in a swimming position, as shown in FIG. 7. The bodyportion comprises at least one floatation chamber 50 to keep the aquaticdevice 11 afloat on the water 18. The aquatic craft 10 floats with theengine 60 submerged below the water level 17. A portion of the body 20floats above the water level. A snorkel 32 is detached from the body 20and extend from a connection end 31 to an air inlet end 33. Theconnection end 31 of the snorkel 32 is coupled with the air inlet 30 ofthe body portion 20. The snorkel being extended vertical for air intakereduces any water ingress into the snorkel and engine. The snorkelprovides air to the combustion engine. The exemplary swimmer propulsionmachine 12 has a fuel reservoir 40 and a fuel fill port 41. The fuel maybe configured in a fuel cylinder 80 and this fuel cylinder may bedetachably attachable to the exemplary swimmer propulsion machine 12. Apropulsion system 90 propels a person through the water and compriseshandles 94 and a throttle 96 for the person to control the speed of theswimmer propulsion machine 12. A propeller 93 is coupled to the engine60 and is driven by the engine. The engine 60 is a combustion enginethat has an engine casing 77 that is water tight, whereby substantiallyall water is kept out of the engine to effectively enable the engine tooperate while submerged. The engine is a combustion engine and may be atwo or four stroke engine and preferable produces less then 30 ppm NOxemissions, as this is now a requirement for aquatic engines. The body 20has a central body portion and two side portions 19, 19′ that may becylinders for floatation chambers and/or fuel reservoirs. It is to beunderstood that some fuel reservoirs 40 may also be floatation chambers50 when the fuel reservoir float, and especially when a compressed gasis used as a fuel, such as propane cylinder, as described in more detailherein.

As shown in FIG. 1, the body 20 has a central body portion 21 and twoside portions 19, 19′ (not shown). The engine is submerged below thewater level 17. The snorkel 32 is detachably attachable to the body 20which may allow snorkels of various lengths to be attached depending onhow rough the water is.

As shown in FIG. 2, the body 20 has a central body portion 21 and a sideportions 19 and 19′. A fuel fill port 41 is configured in the body 20 toreceive fuel. The fuel may be feed to one or more fuel reservoirs 40. Afuel reservoir may be configured in one or both side portions and/or inthe body portion. The central body portion may also be a floatationchamber and/or may have a cavity of air and/or be made of a buoyantmaterial, such as foam. The body is streamline along the centerline 25,from the front 26 to the back 28. The body is symmetric from side toside along the centerline as well. Water may flow up and over the top 22of the body 20. A portion of the engine or propulsion system may extendup through the central cavity in the body and be detachably attached tothe body.

As shown in FIG. 3, an exemplary swimmer propulsion machine 12 has acombustion engine 60 attached thereto and a snorkel for drawing air intothe engine. The propulsion system 90 comprises handles 94 and a throttle96 for a person to control the exemplary swimmer propulsion machine 12.The two side portions 19, 19′ of the body 20 help to keep the bodystable in the water, especially in rougher water.

As shown in FIG. 4, an exemplary swimmer propulsion machine 12 has apropeller 93 that is part of a propulsion system 90 and an exhaustassembly 100. The propeller is configured behind a propeller guard 91and within a propeller cover 92 that extends around the propeller. Theexhaust system may comprise exhaust ports that emit exhaust back fromthe swimmer propulsion machine to provide additional thrust. As shown inFIG. 4, the two side portions 19, 19′ are configured to receive a fuelcylinder 80, such as a cylinder of compressed propane. A fuel cylinder80 is slide into the cylinder of side portion 19 and side portion 19′ isempty, thereby showing the fuel cylinder interface 42 that fluidlycouples the fuel cylinder with the fuel intake. An exemplary fuelcylinder 80′ has an outlet valve 82 that is opened when the fuelcylinder is slide into and coupled with the fuel cylinder interface 42.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the body portion of an exemplary swimmerpropulsion machine 12 having a length 27 from a front 26 to a back 28, aheight 23 from a top 22 to a bottom 24 and a snorkel 32 having a length35 from the air inlet end 33 to the connection end 31.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of an exemplary swimmer propulsion machine 12having a width 29 from a left side to a right side.

As shown in FIG. 7, an exemplary swimmer propulsion machine 12 ispropelling a person 15 through the water in a swimming position. Theperson is holding onto the handles 94 of the propulsion system 90.

As shown in FIG. 8, an exemplary engine assembly 62 and propulsionsystem 90 are detached from the body of the swimmer propulsion machine.The aquatic craft 10 comprises a submersible engine 60 that is coupledwith the propulsion system 90 to propel the aquatic craft through thewater. The propeller 93 is coupled to a drive shaft 98 that is coupledwith the crank shaft through a clutch coupler 107 that engages with theclutch to transfer torque to the drive shaft at a threshold revolutionsper minute (RPM). The clutch coupler may extend around the clutch 97that is coupled with the crank shaft.

The exhaust assembly 100 comprises an exhaust port 101 configured in thepropeller cover 92 or propulsion housing 104 and emits exhaust 102, asindicated by the bold arrows, backward or in the opposing direction ofmotion to provide additional thrust. The exhaust 102 may flow in anexhaust conduit 103 that is configured in an annular space 108 betweenthe outer surface of the propeller cover and inner surface of thepropeller cover 92. The exhaust conduit may extend from the engine 60 tothe annular space through one of the fins 106 extending from theconnected end of the propulsion housing over the water inlets 95. Notethat there may be a plurality of fins to avoid large objects enteringthe flow channel 99, however on a few are shown for ease of illustratingthe components therein.

The exemplary ring-shaped propeller cover has an open flow channel 99 inthe center area to channel water to the propeller 93. The propulsionhousing 104 has water inlets 95 upstream of propeller to channel waterinto the flow channel 99 of the propeller cover. These water inlets mayhave a plurality of protective fins 106 to prevent large objects fromentering the flow channel and damaging the propeller and to preventinjury. A propeller guard 91 extends over the open end of the flowchannel, or water outlet 105, to protect people from injury. In anexemplary embodiment, a propulsion housing 104, includes the propellercover, exhaust manifold or exhaust conduits, a propeller shaft assemblyincluding the drive shaft 98 and propeller 93 and water ductingincluding the water inlets 95, open flow channel 99 and the water outlet105 from the flow channel. This unique propulsion housing, having bothpropulsion and exhaust components configured therein is an integratedhousing that enables quick and easy detachment and attachment of thepropulsion system and exhaust assembly. The crankcase 61 is submergedbelow a water level 17.

As shown in FIG. 9, an exemplary centrifugal clutch comprises a pair ofclutch shoes 122, 122′ coupled together by a spring element 124. Thecentrifugal clutch spins with the crank shaft and when the speed is highenough, the centripetal force of the clutch shoes elongates the springand engages the drive shaft.

As shown in FIG. 10, an exemplary engine assembly 62 and generatorassembly 110 are detached from the body of the swimmer propulsionmachine. The aquatic device 11 comprises a submersible engine 60 that iscoupled with the generator assembly 110 to turn a rotor 112 of thegenerator assembly to produce electrical power. The rotor is coupledwith the crank shaft and as the crank shaft spins the rotor spins withrespect to a stator to produce electrical power. The exhaust assembly100 comprises an exhaust port 101 configure to emit exhaust from theengine. The generator is cooled by water, as it is submerged below thewater level 17. Wires 114 extend from the electrical generator 111 to anelectrical device 116, a battery 117, for example. The wires may extendto an interconnect 115 and then to an electronic device, such as abattery. The electrical generator 111 produces electrical power that canbe used to power and electrical device or charge a battery.

As shown in FIG. 11, an exemplary generator assembly 110 is attached toan exemplary aquatic device 11, a swimmer propulsion machine 12. Asdescribed herein, the propulsion system of the aquatic craft 10 may bedetached and the generator assembly 110 may be attached to then engineto produce power.

As shown in FIG. 12, an exemplary engine 60 has a modified dry sump 63with two lubricant reservoirs, a first lubricant reservoir 65 and asecond lubricant reservoir 66. A pump 67 is configured to circulatelubricant through the crankcase 61 from the reservoirs. The lubricantlevel 69 is shown in both chambers. The four-stroke engine 70, comprisesa top fuel intake 75 and air intake 76. The piston 73 moves up and downwithin the cylinder 72 and a connecting rod couples the piston to thecrank shaft 68. The fuel and air enter the combustion chamber 74 and thespark plug 64 ignites them to propel the piston downward and spin thecrank shaft. It is to be understood that a spark plug, as used hereinincludes any spark producing device that may be used instead of aconventional spark plug.

As shown in FIG. 13, an exemplary swimmer propulsion machine 12 has asnorkel 32 fluidly coupled with two floatation chambers 50, 50′. Airenters the snorkel through the air inlet end 33 and flows into the firstfloatation chamber 50. A water prevention device 37 may be configuredwith the snorkel to prevent water entry into the snorkel in the event ofsubmerging to a dept below the air inlet end of the snorkel, such as avalve, or a float and value system. The air then flows through the airconnection conduit 54 to the second floatation chamber 50′. A carburetorair intake port 59 is configured in the second floatation chamber,proximal to the top 51 of the second chamber and is coupled to thecarburetor through the air intake conduit 58. The carburetor air intakeport 59 is configured proximal the top of the second floatation chamberto prevent water getting into the carburetor. A water prevention valve55 may be configured in the air connection conduit 54 and/or the airintake conduit 58 to prevent water 18 from flowing to the secondfloatation chamber. This system reduces the likelihood of water gettinginto the carburetor. A water connection conduit 56 may also extendbetween the two floatation chambers to allow more volume of water to beretained before the first floatation chamber 50 is filled; to dispersethe water between the chambers and reduce the floatation water level 57,57′ in each.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations and variations can be made in the presentinvention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.Specific embodiments, features and elements described herein may bemodified, and/or combined in any suitable manner. Thus, it is intendedthat the present invention cover the modifications, combinations andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A swimmer propulsion machine comprising: a) afuel reservoir for containing a fuel; b) a multipurpose submersibleengine comprising: i) a fuel intake for receiving said fuel from thefuel reservoir; ii) an air inlet coupled to a snorkel that extends to anair inlet end that is configured above a water level for receiving air;iii) a cylinder for receiving said fuel and said air, iv) a piston thatmoves within the cylinder to compress said fuel; v) a crank shaftcoupled to the piston that rotates as the piston moves up and downwithin the cylinder; vi) an engine casing that is water tight; whereinthe multipurpose submersible engine is a four-stroke engine; wherein themultipurpose submersible engine is operable submerged under said waterlevel; and wherein the multipurpose submersible engine produces emissionof nitrogen oxide of no more than 30 ppm; c) a floatation chamber influid connection with the snorkel and comprising a carburetor air intakeconfigured proximal to a top inside surface of the floatation chamber;wherein water is prevented from entering the carburetors air intake aswater received by the floatation chamber through the snorkel collects ina bottom of the floatation chamber; d) a propulsion system attached tothe submersible engine, wherein the propulsion system comprises: i) apropulsion housing having a connection end and an extended end; ii) adrive shaft coupled to the crank shaft; iii) a propeller coupled to thedrive shaft and configured to propel the engine in a propulsiondirection; and iv) a clutch configured between the crank shaft and thedrive shaft.
 2. The swimmer propulsion machine of claim 1, wherein thepropulsion system comprises: a) a propulsion housing having a connectionend and an extended end, wherein the propulsion housing comprises: i) apropeller cover extending around the propeller and forming a flowchannel for directing water to the propeller; ii) water inlets upstreamof the propeller to channel water into the flow channel; iii) a clutchconfigured to engage and disengage the propeller from the crank shaft:wherein the drive shaft and propeller are attached to the propulsionhousing.
 3. The swimmer propulsion machine of claim 2, wherein thepropulsion system comprises an exhaust assembly for emitting exhaustfrom the submersible engine.
 4. The swimmer propulsion machine of claim3, wherein the exhaust assembly is integrated into the propulsionhousing wherein an exhaust conduit in configured in the propulsionhousing, wherein the exhaust conduit extends in an annular space of thepropeller cover.
 5. The swimmer propulsion machine of claim 4, whereinthe propulsion system is detachably attachable to the submersibleengine.
 6. The swimmer propulsion machine of claim 1, wherein thesubmersible engine is a dry sump engine and further comprises an oilreservoir and a pump that pumps the oil into a crank case.
 7. Theswimmer propulsion machine of claim 1, comprising two floatationchambers; wherein the snorkel is coupled with a first floatationchamber; wherein an air-connection conduit couples the first floatationchamber with a second floatation chamber; and wherein the carburetor airintake is configured proximal to a top inside surface of the secondfloatation chamber; wherein the first and second floatation chambers areconfigured on opposing sides of a center body portion.
 8. The swimmerpropulsion machine of claim 7, wherein a water-conduit extends betweenthe first and second floatation chambers.
 9. The swimmer propulsionmachine of claim 1, further comprising: a) handles for a swimmer tograsp while being pulled through the water; and b) a throttle formanipulating the speed of the swimmer propulsion machine through thewater.